Fay Ajzenberg-Selove

German-American physicist

What is Fay Ajzenberg-Selove known for?

Fay Ajzenberg-Selove, an eminent nuclear physicist, was born on February 13, 1926, in Berlin, Germany to a Polish Jewish family that originated from the Russian Empire. Ajzenberg-Selove's life was marked by significant achievements in nuclear spectroscopy, particularly regarding light elements. Additionally, she is noted for her annual reviews of the energy levels of light atomic nuclei. Her groundbreaking work in the field led her to receive the prestigious National Medal of Science in 2007.

Striking an early interest in engineering, Ajzenberg-Selove pursued her undergraduate studies in the same field at the University of Michigan. The hardships Ajzenberg-Selove had to go through during her childhood, including escaping the Nazi invasion of France and relocating to New York City, were unable to deter her undying spirit for knowledge. She later graduated with a BS in Engineering in 1946, the only woman in a class of 100. Her academic journey further led her to the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she completed her PhD in Physics in 1952.

At Wisconsin, she made some significant contributions to the field of nuclear physics under the guidance of Hugh Richards. This included her ingenious method of creating Lithium targets, demonstrating unique characteristics of the Boron nucleus, and more.

Following her doctoral studies, Ajzenberg-Selove embarked on an impressive career in physics. She worked postdoctorally with Thomas Lauritsen at the California Institute of Technology. Later in her career, she singlehandedly published Energy Levels of Light Nuclei, an influential compilation of the best yearly research in her field. Altogether, she published 26 of these important papers until 1990, earning them the accolade as "the nuclear scientists' bible."

Though Ajzenberg-Selove passed away on August 8, 2012, in Haverford, Pennsylvania, her significant contributions to nuclear physics continue to inspire many in the scientific community. Her life and work aptly display her perseverance, ingenuity, and deep commitment to expanding human knowledge in her chosen field.